Two incidents of theft reported at centrally protected sites in last 3 yrs: Govt

Two incidents of theft have been reported at centrally protected monuments in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, but the stolen items have not been recovered so far, Union Minister of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel informed Lok Sabha on Monday.

In a written reply in the House, he said two incidents of theft were reported at sites of archaeological importance and protected sites during the last three years.

A stone sculpture of Nandi was reported to be stolen from the Parasuramshwara Swamy Complex of Sri Anandavalli Ammavaru Temple in Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh on January 3, 2017. Though an FIR was lodged, no recovery has been made.

A copper 'kalasha' (holy vessel) was stolen from Sadashiva Swamy Temple in Karnataka on February 15 this year, but it has not been recovered yet, Patel said.